PODCAST · health
Inner Path Seekers | Mental Health Support
by Jellis Vaes
Working on yourself can be scary, overwhelming, confusing, messy, challenging, and lonely. On this podcast, hosted by Jellis Vaes, an aspiring clinical psychologist who once battled severe emotional struggles, you’ll gain valuable insights from experts in psychology, neuroscience, and relationships, as well as people like you and me, to support you on your mental health journey, help you feel less alone, and untangle some of the complexity of mental health.For more support, visit Inner Path Seekers.
Episodes
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The Hidden Reason We Stay Addicted | Kevin Cornelius [Addiction Ep 2]
Show notes can be found here: https://theipsproject.com/2026/04/reason-we-stay-addicted-kevin-cornelius/ Addiction is complex, deeply human, and often misunderstood. In this episode, we take a grounded and practical look at what addiction really is and how it can be treated effectively. I’m…
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The Brain on Addiction: Why We Struggle to Quit | Dr. Judith Grisel [Addiction Ep 1]
For nearly 10 years, when Dr. Grisel was younger, she was a daily drug user. She dropped out of school multiple times and was even homeless at one point. Something one might read with surprise, especially knowing that today Dr. Grisel is an internationally recognized behavioral neuroscientist and…
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Reflecting on 2025 — and Where Inner Path Seekers Is Heading Next
As the year comes to an end, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on some of the things we did here at Inner Path Seekers — the highlights of 2025, what’s ahead in 2026, and to hear from you about how we can do better and what you’d like to see more of. ✨ Besides sharing the highlights and what’s...
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I Lost My Father at 4. I’m 32 Now — What I’ve Learned About Loss and Grief [Loss & Grief Ep 5]
I lost my father when I was four years old. I’m 32 now. In this episode, I share what I’ve learned over these 28 years of losing my father at a young age — the realizations, lessons, and moments of healing that have shaped my journey. Losing him hasn’t been easy. Far from it. And if you’ve lost...
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What a Decade in Palliative Care Taught Me About Grief, Loss, and Living [Loss & Grief Ep 4]
Grief and loss touch us all, yet they’re often the hardest to talk about. In this episode, I speak with Bridget Sumser, a licensed clinical social worker with over a decade in palliative and end-of-life care. She has stood by the bedsides of hundreds of dying people, trains professionals in...
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I Lost My Son: How to Navigate the Depths of Grief with Phil Cohen [Loss & Grief Ep 3]
Show notes can be found here: https://theipsproject.com/2025/08/phil-cohen/ Phil Cohen lost his 14-year-old son, Perry, at sea in 2015. What followed was a journey through grief that transformed his life. It’s not a journey Phil ever wished for, but it’s the one he got, as those who have lost...
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My Dad Died When I Was 9, My Mom When I Was 11 | Frank Watkinson [Loss & Grief Ep 2]
Show notes for this episode can be found here: https://theipsproject.com/2025/07/both-my-parents-died-frank-watkinson/ In this series episode on loss and grief, I sit down with Frank Watkinson, also known as Virtual Grandad. A YouTube musician with over 1 million subscribers, Frank, who is quite...
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How I Dealt with Losing My Mom at a Young Age | Laura Maliszewska [Loss & Grief Ep 1]
In this series of Inner Path Seekers, we open up a conversation about loss and grief—a topic often whispered about but rarely given the space it deserves. We take the time to do just that by speaking with psychologists and health experts who specialize in grief, as well as with people who have...
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I Nearly Gave Up on Life — How to Overcome Severe Depression [Depression Ep 6]
Show notes for this episode can be found here: https://theipsproject.com/2025/06/coping-with-teen-depression/ In this episode, I'm opening up about something deeply personal I've never fully shared before: my journey through depression during my teenage years.From ages 12 to 18, my life often…
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“You Have a Chemical Imbalance,” the Doctor Told Joe Tudor [Depression Ep 5]
Joe Tudor, the founder of Reconnect—a platform that provides tools and organizes events that help people deal with their mental health and connect with others going through similar experiences—once faced depression and struggled with his own mental health. This experience inspired him to start...
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Antidepressants Don’t Work: How to Cure Your Depression | Dr. David Burns [Depression Ep 4]
In this episode, Dr. David Burns, a Stanford psychiatrist and a true legend in the world of psychology, joins us on the Inner Path Seekers podcast to talk about depression and how to truly cure it. Dr. Burns has been at the forefront of pushing the mental health space forward. You'll learn more...
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How I Learned to Live with Depression: Angelica Galluzzo's Journey [Depression Ep 3]
In this conversation, Angelica Galluzzo, a mental health advocate, shares her personal journey with depression, discussing its ongoing impact on her life, the path to diagnosis, and the coping mechanisms she has developed over the years. If, after the conversation, you’d like to spend more time...
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How I Overcame My 4-Year Battle with Depression | Elaine D. [Depression Ep 2]
In this deeply personal episode, Elaine shares her journey through four years of struggling with depression, shedding light on the often invisible challenges of preserving one’s mental health. She opens up about the emotional battles she faced, the misconceptions surrounding depression, and the...
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How I Got out of My Depression | Jonathan Schoenmaker [Depression Ep 1]
Depression is a significant global health concern. It's a common mental health issue that many people experience in their lifetime. However, like many mental health topics, it still carries a stigma, and for many, it's a challenge to talk openly about it. At Inner Path Seekers, we want to…
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Why You Keep Failing at That One Thing You Want to See Changed
Are you feeling stuck in life? Whether it’s in your relationships, career, health, personal growth, or even hobbies, it’s all too common to feel like you’re running into the same walls again and again. In this video, you’ll learn why that might be the case and explore a simple but incredibly...
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Easy Choices, Hard Life. Hard Choices, Easy Life: How to Grow as a Person
Life is full of moments when we stand at a crossroads, faced with three options: Stay Still: Avoid the decision, remain in your comfort zone, and risk stagnation. Take the Destructive Route: Fall back on unhealthy habits or coping mechanisms. Choose Growth: Take the hard but rewarding path of...
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8 Ways to Handle Pain and Suffering | Insights That Changed My Life
In this video, I open up about the challenges I've faced in life: losing my dad at a young age, living with heart disease, enduring years of depressive thoughts, surviving sudden cardiac arrest, and today, battling chronic health issues. By sharing my journey of dealing with suffering and pain, I...
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How to Get the Most Out of Life: Use The Time-Bucket Strategy
Imagine going to the beach in winter to sunbathe. Technically, you can, but in most countries, it’s not the ideal season for that. It will be cold, windy, and likely rainy. We often don’t think of life this way, but in many ways, life has seasons—different phases when certain activities or…
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Derek Sivers on Embracing 'Weird' as a Compliment and Challenging Conventional Beliefs
When asked who the most interesting man alive is, I’d say Derek Sivers. He’s an entrepreneur, writer, and former musician who founded CD Baby, sold it for $22 million, and donated the proceeds to musician education. He has authored five impactful books, given several TED Talks, and lived in…
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8 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Mental Health Today
In evolutionary psychology, there's often discussion about the mismatch between our modern environment and the way our brains evolved to function. While our lives have transformed dramatically in recent years, our brains haven't kept pace with these changes. This disconnection is particularly...
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How to Sleep Better at Night Naturally with Dr. Michael Breus, the Sleep Doctor
Sleep is something we all need, whether we like it or not. Almost everyone has questions about sleep and wants to improve it. As we know, not sleeping well for even one night affects us the next day. Many have experienced poor sleep for weeks, months, or years, leading to emotional and physical...
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What to Say to a Suicidal Person | Lessons from a Crisis Support Worker
As someone who once struggled with suicidal thoughts, I understand the importance of raising awareness for suicide prevention. Every year, 703,000 people take their own lives, and this staggering number highlights the urgent need for education on how to support those in crisis. In this interview…
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Humor as Healing: Boost Your Health, Happiness, and Career | Andrew Tarvin
🎙️Join us in this episode of The IPS Podcast for an enlightening conversation on an often-overlooked yet incredibly powerful tool for improving both our physical and mental well-being: humor! In this episode, we sit down with stand-up comedian and the world's first humor engineer, Andrew Tarvin,...
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How to Have a Great Sex Life | Sex Educator and Coach Ruth Ramsay (Bonus Episode)
It was an absolute delight to have had renowned sex educator and coach, Ruth Ramsay on the IPS podcast in Episode 037, titled 'Improve Your Sex Life with Sex Educator and Coach Ruth Ramsay.' Now, it's our pleasure to welcome her back for this bonus episode, which is, once again, a treasure trove…
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The Healing Power of Nature | Meet Dr. Melissa Lem, The Doctor Who Prescribes Nature
Many are familiar with the age-old wisdom that emphasizes the positive impact of nature on one’s well-being. Those who have immersed themselves in the tranquility of forests, mountains, oceanfronts, or other natural settings can attest to the profound sense of wellness they impart. Beyond the...
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Improve Your Sex Life with Adult Sex Educator and Coach, Ruth Ramsay
Sex educator and coach Ruth Ramsay shares key pieces of advice and tips on how to consciously improve your sex life here in this episode. Ruth has made notable appearances in the media, boasting a rich background that spans over a decade as a striptease artist. She now holds a transformational...
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What to Do When Dark Thoughts Consume You
No one is immune to sickness. Whether we are talking about a cold or a mental illness. Yes, even if you are a doctor, you can still get sick physically. And yes, even if you are a psychologist, you too can suffer from mental illness. No one is immune. But what do you do when dark thoughts consume...
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How to Reinvent Your Life Starting Today | Reinvention Expert, Craig Stanland
In this episode, I had the pleasure of welcoming reinvention architect Craig Standland, who knows all about how to reinvent your life after watching his own crumble in 2013, when the FBI came knocking at his door, for a second round on the podcast. In this episode we delve deeper into Craig’s...
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Learn How to Talk to Anyone, Even If You Feel Shy and Insecure
If you see me today talking to strangers on The IPS Podcast and doing these videos here, you wouldn’t say that I used to be a very shy person. But I was. In fact, it’s quite an understatement. I was always the quietest person in the class or in any room. Through the years, all this changed when I...
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You Look Fine: The Struggle of Invisible Pain, Illness, and Injury
In this episode, get advice from Jellis Vaes, the founder of The IPS Project and a mental health coach, about what to do when dealing with an invisible pain, illness, or injury. Show notes for this episode with all the resources mentioned can be found here:...
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Dr. Abby Medcalf: The Art of Thriving Relationships (Bonus Episode)
In this bonus episode, Dr. Medcalf, a psychologist and relationship expert with more than 30 years of experience in the field, takes over the IPS podcast. If, by the end of this episode, you’d like to learn even more from Dr. Medcalf, do check out the interview I did with her in ‘EP 035 - The Key...
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Unlocking the Cure to Relationship Struggles with Psychologist Dr. Abby Medcalf
Discover the secrets to building great and healthy relationships with relationship expert, Dr. Abby Medcalf. With over 30 years of experience counselling individuals and couples, Dr. Medcalf is the author of the highly-rated book 'Be Happily Married' and host of the popular podcast 'Relationships...
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Lessons about Life and Death from a Cancer and a Cardiac Arrest Survivor | Dr. Martin Inderbitzin and Jellis Vaes
“If you don’t invest in your wellness, you will have to invest in your illness.” – Martin Inderbitzin Dr. Martin Inderbitzin, a neuroscientist and cancer survivor, and Jellis Vaes, a mental health coach and cardiac arrest survivor, share lessons about life and death in this interview on The IPS...
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Empathy: It’s Not a Feeling; It’s a Practice - Karen Faith
“Compassion is for people who are suffering. Sympathy is for people who are suffering. Empathy is stepping out of my point of view and stepping into your point of view. And I can do that with you if you are happy, if you are confused, if you are suffering or not suffering.” - Karen Faith Empathy…
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Quadruple Amputee Alex Lewis: Finding Your Way Out of Hell—and Thriving
“I was told early on that with amputation 95% is mental and 5% is physical. If you get your head straight, the rest will follow.” - Alex Lewis There are people in this world who just blow your socks off with their courage and strength despite the massive adversities they had to go through. Alex...
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Bonus Episode - Kristina Paltén: The Questions That Were Not Asked (Three Things She Can’t Live Without, Keeping Big Goals Fun, and Much More)
Are you ready for a new bonus episode? In this bonus episode, adventurer, lecturer and two-time world-record holder Kristina Paltén takes over the podcast. Kristina has so far appeared twice in on The IPS Podcast. The first time was in episode 013: ‘Kristina Paltén, Ultra Runner – Alone Through...
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Understanding Eating Disorders | Eating Disorder Specialist Ashley McHan
“Eating disorders are not about food.” - Ashley McHan In this interview on the podcast of Inner Path Seekers, Ashley McHan, a licensed eating disorder and trauma specialist sits down with Jellis Vaes, the host of the podcast, to talk about eating disorders. Show notes for this episode with all…
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How to Live a Meaningful Life with Two-Time World Record Holder, Kristina Paltén
Note: For those who are interested, this interview was also videotaped. You can watch the full interview on the Youtube channel of The IPS Project here: https://youtu.be/dzEZToK5NDE 3 years ago, Kristina Paltén appeared on the show in episode 013, where she got interviewed about her two world...
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Bonus Episode - Craig Stanland: The Questions That Were Not Asked (Meditation, Suicide, Prison Nicknames, and More…)
Hereby, we would like to introduce you to a brand-new kind of episode on The IPS Podcast: bonus episodes. In these bonus episodes you get the chance to spend some more quality time with some of our guests as they take over the podcast. In this first bonus episode, you get to spend some more time...
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Life After Prison – Craig Stanland: Losing Everything You Have and How to Start Over
“This story is a piece of me. It is not my proudest moment. But it is a piece of me. If I denied it, how can I ever be whole, how can I ever be enough if I deny a piece of what made me, me?” - Craig Stanland In 2012, Craig exploited the warranty policy of one of the world's largest tech companies...
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Healing from Emotional Abuse with Licensed Psychologist Signe M. Hegestand
Signe M. Hegestand, a licensed psychologist, talks about how to start healing from emotional abuse and the signs and symptoms of emotional abuse. Show notes and links for this episode can be found at https://theipsproject.com/2021/04/signe-hegestand-healing-from-emotional-abuse/ _______ PREMIUM...
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How to Handle Dark Times with Dr. Martin Inderbitzin, Pancreatic Cancer Survivor
Martin Inderbitzin, a neuroscientist and pancreatic cancer survivor talks about how to handle pain and suffering. Show notes and links for this episode can be found at https://theipsproject.com/2021/04/how-to-handle-pain-and-suffering/ _______ PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP For those who are interested, The...
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Rena Romano: Healing Child Sexual Abuse and Conquering Past Hurts
In this episode, we’ve invited survivor and advocate of children who have experienced sexual abuse and sexual assault, Rena Romano. Show notes and links for this episode can be found at https://theipsproject.com/2020/12/rena-romano-healing-child-sexual-abuse/ _______ 📚 The IPS Academy provides...
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Sean Galla, Founder of Men’s Group: The Struggles Men Face and How to Support Men Better
Being a man is not easy. Sean Galla, founder of https://mensgroup.com/, talks about masculinity, men’s health, and the struggles men face. Show notes and links for this episode can be found at https://theipsproject.com/2020/10/sean-galla-being-a-man-is-not-easy/ _______ We at The IPS Project are...
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Scott Pinyard on Alcohol Use Disorder, the Effects of Alcohol on the Brain and Body, and How to Provide Support
Scott Pinyard, head coach of This Naked Mind, talks about alcohol use disorder, the effects of alcohol on the brain and body, how to help someone struggling with alcohol addiction, and how to be there for yourself if you are wrestling with alcohol. Show notes and links for this episode can be…
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Vulnerability and the Importance to Talk About the Scars You Wear Inside
Sometimes we need to hear again why it is okay to be vulnerable, and why it is important to talk more openly about the scars we wear inside. In this episode you hear the audio from the animated video: Vulnerability and the Importance to Talk About the Scars You Wear Inside If you are curious…
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How to Handle Distressing Times (COVID-19 Special Episode)
Learn how to handle distressing times from an ex-SAS Commander, a pancreatic cancer survivor, a monk who lived for 37 years in a monastery, and other experts. Show notes and links for this episode can be found at https://theipsproject.com/2020/05/ep-022-how-to-handle-distressing-times/ _______…
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How to Rewire Your Brain to Be Happy | Dr. Rick Hanson, Ph.D. | The Science of Happiness
In this episode on The IPS Podcast, Dr. Rick Hanson, Ph.D., leading expert on positive neuroplasticity, talks about how you can rewire your brain to be happy. Show notes and links for this episode can be found at https://theipsproject.com/2020/04/rewire-your-brain-to-be-happy-rick-hanson/ _______...
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Certified Sexologist Shan Boodram, Talks about Sex, Dating, and Relationships
Shan Boodram, the most sought-after sex educator on the internet, shares ways to improve your relationship, dating and sex life. Some of the Questions: How would you define how a good healthy relationship looks like? What are some fundamental traits to have a successful long-term relationship? In...
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Dr. Guy Macpherson, Ph.D. What is Psychological Trauma and How to Heal It
What is psychological trauma? In this episode of The IPS Podcast, Dr. Guy Macpherson, Ph.D. an expert in trauma, provides a base understanding of psychological trauma. Some of the Questions: How would you define and explain to someone what trauma is? From all your experiences of working with...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Working on yourself can be scary, overwhelming, confusing, messy, challenging, and lonely. On this podcast, hosted by Jellis Vaes, an aspiring clinical psychologist who once battled severe emotional struggles, you’ll gain valuable insights from experts in psychology, neuroscience, and relationships, as well as people like you and me, to support you on your mental health journey, help you feel less alone, and untangle some of the complexity of mental health.For more support, visit Inner Path Seekers.
HOSTED BY
Jellis Vaes
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